Message Magazine’s Devotional for Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Based Upon Philippians 2:5
If I were pressed into a corner and forced to pick one, and only one way to express what God’s plan for us is, I would have to say, to have the mind of Christ. This is an all-encompassing reality. No matter in what situation we find ourselves, if we receive the essence of Jesus’ mind and character, we are always safe. There is no dark corner in life, or trial that can force us outside the safe zone of aligning perfectly with Him, if we assume His attitude by faith.
What example does the Bible give us concerning the mind of Christ? Paul said, “Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:] Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained, But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:5–8, AMP).
Jesus, though the Son of God, and verily equal with God Himself, could not see our predicament and allow His exalted state to hinder Him from saving us. It was an infinite humiliation for the King of kings to become a servant and be born into our human form. It was an infinite humiliation for the King of kings to walk and live among us for 33.5 years knowing that most would reject Him. It was an infinite humiliation for the sinless King of kings to become sin for us, in order for us to become the righteousness of God through Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus always put us first. He took the low road, so we could be exalted. “Therefore [because He stooped so low] God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name” (Philippians 2:9, AMP).
Now we can understand why having His mind by faith, we are safely nestled within His will. “For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed” (1 Peter 2:21–24, NLT).
